Meet Larisa

Where do you live?In La La Land for half the year and in Milwaukee the other half.

But where are you really from?I'm Canadian but I grew up in Utah!

Who or What inspired you to begin your healthy lifestyle/ or have you always been healthy?Honestly, I started my journey to health just to get an old boyfriend back. Then, modeling inspired me to find any way to stay thin and competitive without using the 'usual' modeling methods.

Because both are things that are constantly bought in stores and are both so much better when they're made at home.

Favorite Food? Oatmeal!

Sweet or Savory?Sweet

What do you like to do for exercise?I love work out videos , insanity, p90x, etc. but there's nothing like a great hike, run, or long yoga class.

Any particular skin care regimen ?I'm all about skin care products. I love Diana Ralys's skin products-they're all natural and They work.

Night Owl or Early Bird? Early bird gets the worm.

Any advice you’d like to give someone who thinks it’s hard or expensive to eat healthy?You're right, it is expensive. But it's no more expensive than if you're eating out all the time. Cook once, eat twice! If you live alone that number will probably be 5 times! Plus, rolled oats are probably one of the cheapest things you can buy at a store and they're incredibly nutritious and delicious.

MEET CARA@CarasKitchenwww.CarasKitchen.Net

Whats your name?Cara CarinAny nick name or one you wish you had?Sometimes I get called Carabear or CupcakeWhere do you live?Sunny So Cal. Specifically the west side of LA. But where are you really from?Born in Chicago, and raised in Phoenix.Who or What inspired you to begin your healthy lifestyle/ or have you always been healthy?I’ve always been interested in health and wellness but it stemmed from a very unhealthy place within. After a 10 year battle with an eating disorder, countless yo-yo diets and an obsession with my weight, I was hungry for a healthy relationship with food and myself. Through support groups, counseling, and the reading of The China Study, I found my balance and inner peace through a plant based diet and loads of self love. What are your favorite places to eat?My own kitchen, I cook 90% of the food I eat. :) But I love Café Gratitude, Pho Show, Chipotle, The Springs, Sage Bistro, and Gracias Madres. Drink of choice?Depends on the time of day! Coffee and green juice in the morning, sparkling water throughout the day and wine at night On a perfect day….I like to be active outside, at a flea market or listening to music with my friends. However, I spend most of my Saturdays preparing food and photographing recipes for my blog because it brings me so much joy.Breakfast: avocado toast, duh. Lunch: A big ol’ saladDinner: mmm, anything Thai or MexicanSnack/Treat: avocado toast, dark chocolateShy or outgoing? OutgoingHobbies /Other interests? I love music and going to see DJ’s play, or attending festivals like Coachella. I also love to snowboard, scuba dive, ride bikes, travel, and go thrift store shopping. Disneyland or Universal Studios?DISNEYLAND, all day. Favorite Movie?That’s hard for me to answer! Some movies that I love are The Apartment, Legally Blonde, Breakfast of Tiffany’s, The Little Mermaid, The Avengers, Mean Girls, Memento, all the Harry Potters. Gosh how can you pick just one!? Favorite Color?All colors except purple or yellow. Nothing against them, but subconsciously I do not reach for anything of those colors. I had a looksee in my closet…yup nothing yellow or purple. I love blues and greens and all neutrals.What is your favorite season?Summer as it fades to fall. Favorite vegetable besides Kale (Haha)?Cauliflower! Most versatile thing e.v.e.r!Favorite place to visit?A place I’ve never beenWhat has been your best vacation to date?Thailand. I mean the food! The messages! The colors!Favorite Singer or Band?I love Gorgon City, Disclosure, Calibre, Glass Animals, Taking Back Sunday, Rise Against, The Used. Favorite Song (or songs- cause this is a ridiculous question) ?Oh gosh…. Romanticise by Chela! It’s so fun and upbeat, puts me in a great mood! I love to listen to it when I get ready or need a little pick me up! I also LOVE Hang With Me by Robyn. Favorite recipe you make? (Please attach the link) I love my Mediterranean Spiced and Grilled Vegetable Rice Bowl http://caraskitchen.net/2015/03/mediterranean-spiced-grilled-vegetable-rice-bowls-with-avocado-vegan-gluten-free/Or my Mango BBQ Jackfruit Tacos http://caraskitchen.net/2015/05/mango-bbq-jackfruit-tacos-with-cabbage-slaw-cashew-sour-cream-and-avocado-cinco-de-mayo/

Favorite Food? AVOCADOS!Sweet or Savory?SavoryWhat do you like to do for exercise?Yoga, ride bikes, lift weights, dance. Any particular skin care regimen?I love my Clairsonic brush. I use it every other night and my skin has never looked better. I use a mild cleanser in the morning and at night by Jeffery James as well as his under eye cream. I love his products; they are vegan and can be found at Whole Foods. Then I use a CBD infused coconut oil shea butter blend that my brothers Fiancé makes on the tops of my hands and if I need extra moisture on my face or neck. The stuff has reduced the appearance of my acne scars and sun spots. It’s amazing! And I believe we are only going to continue to hear about the benefits of CBD. It is very hard to find a quality source in the USA, except maybe in Colorado, so we import ours from Europe. Night Owl or Early Bird? Naturally, I am an early bird, always have been. Any advice you’d like to give someone who thinks it’s hard or expensive to eat healthy?Its important to remind yourself that you can go at your own pace, changing one meal a week, then one meal a day to something that is 100% real food and preferably plant based. Its ok to start slow, and make little changes here and there until it becomes habit. Notice how you feel after you eat certain foods and listen to your body. Also, I think an important question to ask is not why is eating healthy so expensive but why is eating unhealthy so cheap? Favorite quote?“The only rule is there are no rules.”I remind myself of this every day. I don’t mean in the sense of speed limits, laws, taxes or bills. Obviously we have those things. What I mean is that there are no rules for how you have to live your life. There are no road maps, no guarantees, or one right path to live when it comes to your life. You can create whatever you want for yourself and choose how you want to live. There are no rules. That’s the only rule. Do you!Who or what motivates you?My personal trainer! Just kidding. Sort of. I turn within for motivation, or turn to meditation to find my focus. However, I am inspired by so many things! Creative types, bloggers, thought leaders, insanely delicious photographs of food. And People with passion and purpose. Even if I have zero interest in something, but some else has a passion for it, I am inspired by that. Their love and committment to something moves me.

﻿Meet Karissa ﻿

Follow Karissa and all of her amazingness here- VeganAlaMode.Com@VeganAlaMode

Whats your name? Karissa BowersAny nickname or one you wish you had?No nickname but I have always really liked my first name because it's pretty unique! Though it gets interpreted oddly sometimes, like at our favorite Thai place they think my name is Tralisa.Where do you live? San Diego, CABut where are you really from? Redondo Beach, CA. It's a beach city in LA countyWho or What inspired you to begin your healthy lifestyle/ or have you always been healthy?I found out I was lactose intolerant and then reevaluated my diet. After buying Chloe's Kitchen, I realized vegan food was healthy and delicious which sparked the change in my lifestyle!What are your favorite places to eat? San Diego doesn't have too many vegan options but I love Plumeria Vegetarian and Veggie Grill. My boyfriend and I go to those places at least once a week!

Drink of choice? Lemon water for day time and white wine if it's date night :)

On a perfect day….I'm spending the day with my boyfriend exploring some place new! I love to travel and go outdoors.

What is your favorite season? Summer; I love all the produce in season.

Favorite vegetable besides Kale (Haha)? Asparagus

Favorite place to visit? Pacific Northwest, there's so much beautiful greenery.What has been your best vacation to date? Seattle; my boyfriend and I had so much eating at all the hot vegan spots and exploring the city.

Favorite Singer or Band? Ingrid MichaelsonFavorite Song ? You and I by Ingrid Michaelson

What do you like to do for exercise? I love barre. I go three times a week and then try to walk/hike on the off days.

Any particular skin care regimen ? I try to use Acure Organics Chlorella face scrub every now and then to brighten my skin.

Night Owl or Early Bird? Early BirdAny advice you’d like to give someone who thinks it’s hard or expensive to eat healthy?Healthy groceries cost a lot less than medical bills caused by preventable illnesses and diseases!Favorite quote?"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." -Audrey Hepburn

Who or what motivates you ? My dreams. I am a total dreamer and have so many goals so I try to keep my aspirations in mind to keep me working hard.

For more recipes and inspiration. Make sure to go to her website ! Www.VeganAlaMode.Com

Whats your name? Krysten JorgensenAny nick name or one you wish you had? Hmm. Well I have been called Big Red. KJ. And Kris. But I think I'd really like the nick name 'K' to stick. Just doesn't seem to work out. Haha. I'll keep trying! Where do you live? Los Angeles, Ca.

But where are you really from? Good ole' Georgia.Who or What inspired you to begin your healthy lifestyle/ or have you always been healthy?Well I think there are a lot of different reasons. I worked at Whole Foods for a few years and that def. got me interested in a lot of things I never knew anything about. Working there, also introduced me to Engine 2 Diet/Forks Over Knives. So documentaries for sure. And my mom was sick a few years ago (she's better) and I just decided to go vegan for a month and from then on thats when I got really serious and interested about 'health'. What are your favorite places to eat? Cafe Gratitude. Mohawk Bend. Lifefood Organic. Babycakes NYC. Shojin. Gracias Madre. Thai Vegan in Santa Monica.Drink of choice? Oh man. I love all kinds of drinks. Lets see.. There is my morning iced latte. And then I love matcha tea lattes from Urth Caffe. And I also love red wine.

Favorite Movie? I don't have just one. -Philadelphia. Forrest Gump. Sleepless in Seattle. (I love Tom Hanks). And many many more. I love anything that moves me.

Favorite Color? Mustard Gold. And a close tie would be Turquoise.

What is your favorite season? I absolutely love fall and everything about it. But summer is also a favorite. (I love the beach).Favorite vegetable besides Kale (Haha)? I think cauliflower, for it's versatility. But I also love sweet potatoes. Favorite place to visit? Besides home (Georgia), I'd have to say Santa Ynez Valley & San Fran. Hopefully adding some other places to the list very soon. What has been your best vacation to date? Hands down Cancun, Mexico. Best trip of my life.

Favorite Singer or Band? Well there is Celine Dion. She's been my singing inspiration since I was 8 years old. But I have been loving Sara Bareilles for a while now. I also love John Legend. And oldies. I think my go to on spottily is my Golden Oldies Mix. It's just very uplifting and happy music. I also love to relax with Bon Iver's music. So good.Favorite Song (or songs- cause this is a ridiculous question) ?Whoo whee. Yes, very ridiculous indeed. I love a million songs. But a few that come to mind are Celine Dion- 'The Color of My Love'. I also love Otis Redding- 'These arms of Mine'. 'Unforgettable' - Nat King Cole. Anything from the show "Smash". And 'Endless Love' . The music from Pride & Prejudice. K, thats more than a few. But I just love music. I think harmony is the most beautiful sound in the world. It literally makes me cry sometimes cause it's just so beautiful.

Favorite recipe you make? Cashew Cheeze. I put it on e v e r y t h i n g. And I am kinda obsessed with my recent recipe for buffalo cauliflower. I can't get enough. Although I really love this pizza crust I make. I just would prefer you try my cauliflower. It's so good. Favorite Food? Well since I'm from the south, I basically love anything to do with cornmeal. I love grits. I love cornbread, tacos, my pizza crust. Etc. I also love any type of mexican food.

Sweet or Savory? Savory all the way. I could eat cashew cheese and sweet potatoes and avocados all day everyday.

What do you like to do for exercise? I'm not the biggest workout fanatic. I love to take long walks. I am really trying to get into yoga. I've recently been just trying out new things to see what is best for me. So far taking long walks is what makes me the happiest.

Any particular skin care regimen ? Coconut oil. In no way am I trying to be conceited by saying this- but I get asked basically everyday at work, what do I do to make my skin the way it is. I am actually sitting here typing this with coconut oil all over my face. Haha. I take my make up off with it. And I put it on my skin first thing when I wake up. My skin just craves it. I also put it all over my body. Seriously- try it. It's so moisturizing.

Night Owl or Early Bird? Night Owl for sure. I do love the mornings. But I'm up to late to enjoy them. haha.Any advice you’d like to give someone who thinks it’s hard or expensive to eat healthy?Yeah, honestly I don't think it's that people think that it's expensive. Because ordering fast food daily is actually way more- and your only getting the one meal. When you could be buy things in bulk and those meals would last you all week. Sorry to say- but I think people are just lazy. And their comfortable with what they know. I think if you just give making your own food a chance, you'd like it better. I really like making my own food because I know exactly whats in it. Thats awesome to me. And the fulfillment of making your own food. It's a great feeling. There are a ton of recipes on my site. Take a look- do a google search. There is a lot of simple recipes out there that are healthy. And much more satisfying then all that other yucky food. Favorite quote? "Want it more than your afraid of it"Who or what motivates you ?Music & people. (Especially my mom). I see a lot of ugly/bad things here in L.A. But when you see the good, it's like the brightest light shining. And I do see it. People who care and are so genuine and sincere and just down right nice. It's refreshing and it makes me want to do better and be better. So thank you to all of you out there changing the world. Just by being caring to one another.